The DP World Tour stays in South Africa this week for the Steyn City Championship at The Club at Steyn City, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The 156 field with again the Top 65 making the cut will all be playing for a share of the $1.5m prize purse with the winner receiving the title and $250,000.
This is a completely new event introduced by the DP World Tour as it visits almost every continent in its first year so there's nothing to go on from last year and obviously no defending champion.
One noticeable absentee is Adri Arnaus who had to withdraw with an ongoing wrist injury. It’s a wide open field in Johannesburg this week and it could open the door for a maiden DP World crown for so many at this event.
The weather is forecast to be warm and sunny but some heavy showers are predicted on Thursday.
This event thankfully will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 10.30am GMT on Thursday morning.
The reason I say thankfully is that last week's MyGolfLifeOpen had no TV coverage, disappointing actually if you ask me.
Talking about last weeks MyGolfLifeOpen, Pablo Larrazabal who was the eventual winner after a tight run race will be looking to double up again this week in South Africa.
So let’s move on and try single out the winner for the Steyn City Championship.
Jordan Smith
For my first and main selection I’m going to advise Jordan Smith 20/1 EW Bet365.
The 29 year old from Bath, England has not one but two runners-up medals in his last three events so he’s certainly been knocking on the door lately. He was T2nd at last week's MyGolfLifeOpen and also 2nd at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship a few weeks back.
Smith only has one victory so far on the DP World Tour when winning the Porsche European Open in 2017 but also has a few victories on the Challenge Tour to his name.
He narrowly missed out in a play-off last week so I'm of the thinking he will be come to Johannesburg firing on all cylinders and bring with him his consistent recent form that not many here can boast.
If he plays anything like he did last week and at Khaimah then for sure he will be challenging on the back nine on Sunday,possibly on his way to doubling up on his DP World Tour titles so the 20/1 on offer could be rewarding for punters and Jordan Smith alike.
Wilco Nienbar
For my next selection I’m going to single out Wilco Nienbar 35/1 EW Bet365.
The 21 year old youngster from South Africa will not only appreciate playing in his own back yard but he will be relishing the challenge this week at this big hitters' paradise. No-one in this field or as a matter of fact, on both the PGA & DP World Tours combined can hit the ball further than Nienbar, that’s right not even Bryson De Chambeau.
Correct me if I’m wrong here but Nienbar has hit the ball over the 400yrs mark, truly remarkable. It’s just other aspects of his game that let him down, maybe why he’s yet to bag a victory on the DP World Tour.
The one thing Nienbar has on his side is plenty of time to make adjustments at only 21 years old.
He has won on the Challenge Tour and come close on the DP World Tour with two second best prizes so he knows what it feels like to be challenging with the best in the Tour.
As I mentioned , the door could be wide open this week for a maiden winner and it would come as no surprise if Wilco Nienbar puts on a show in front of his own fans on his way to glory.
Shubhanker Sharma
For my next suggestion I’m liking the look of Shubhanker Sharma 33/1 EW Betfred.
The 25 year old from Jammu in India was 13th last time out at the Magical Kenya Open. His best recent performance was runner up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but he does come here with two DP World titles already in the bag, something that most in this field can only dream about.
He won on a track only a few miles from here so he clearly enjoys playing golf in this part of the world. If he can sort out some putting issues then he could well be on his way to yet another victory at the Steyn City Championship and with 1-6 places available then just a finish in the Top 6 will return a profit.
He has made the cut at all three events since finishing runner-up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship so if he can make it inside the Top 65 and play golf into the weekend again then he will have as good a chance as any if not better so my advice is take the 33/1 while it’s available.
Romain Langasque v Julien Brun
For this weeks final selection it’s the customary matchbet, again the Naps landed on both the PGA & DP World Tours last weekend so let’s keep that trend going. Hopefully Romain Langasque can see off Julien Brun over the 72 holes 10/11 Nap Betfair.
Steyn City Championship Tips
- Jordan Smith 20/1 EW Bet365
- Wilco Nienbar 35/1 EW Bet365
- Shubhanker Sharma 33/1 EW Betfred
- Romain Langasque to beat Julien Brun , 10/11 Betfair, 72 hole matchbet
